Former President Trump has become increasingly vocal in the final weeks of the campaign, calling his domestic rivals “scum”, warning that immigrants are “conquering” American communities, and encouraging protests. He has hinted at the possibility of using the military to quell it.
For months, President Trump has painted a dystopian picture of the country that would become a reality if he doesn't win in November, insisting that his opponents would destroy the country or cause economic collapse.
Vice President Harris' campaign has used some of Trump's recent comments to attack her, warning that Trump is showing authoritarian tendencies in his return to the White House.
“He vowed to become a dictator 'on day one,' demanded the 'abolition' of the Constitution, and planned to surround himself with sycophants who would give him unlimited and unprecedented powers if he returned to the presidency. “His presence should alarm all Americans who care about their freedom and safety,” Harris campaign spokesman Ian Sams said in a statement.
“What Donald Trump is promising is dangerous, and allowing him back into office is a risk Americans cannot accept,” he added.
Some Republicans are also a little concerned about this rhetoric, worried that it might turn off some voters judging the unusually close race between Ms. Harris and Mr. Trump.
They say many voters are ignoring some of Trump's comments, but they also argue that they could make a difference for some voters.
“In the eyes of voters, much of this kind of rhetoric is built into the price of doing business with Donald Trump,” said one Republican strategist, who spoke on condition of anonymity to avoid criticism from the Trump campaign. They say they understand that he says things that politicians would consider unfashionable or avoid saying.
“This kind of rhetoric, while not unhelpful, is certainly effective at appealing to and persuading voters who are still making up their minds and who may be evaluating between the two candidates. I don’t think it will help,” the strategist continued.
Trump has always been a politician willing to take a dark turn, but his tone has changed in recent days, becoming more threatening toward his political opponents.
On Friday, President Trump held a rally in Aurora, Colorado, a city of about 400,000 people that has drawn attention because of the former president's claims about immigrant gang activity in the city, which local officials say are misleading. He claims that he is exaggerating.
President Trump has vowed to crack down on immigrant gangs, repeatedly calling the city “invaded”, “conquered” and “infested” by outsiders. And he attacked “all the scum that hates our country that we have to deal with. It's a bigger enemy than China or Russia.”
At a Saturday rally in Coachella, California.Mr. Trump thought so.One demonstrator in the crowd might get “thoroughly beaten down” by the parents of a Trump supporter.
In an interview with Fox Business Network on Sunday, President Trump said he was not concerned about upsetting his supporters on Election Day, instead referring again to the “enemy from within.”
“I think it should be handled very easily, by the National Guard if necessary, or by the military if it's really necessary, because we can't allow that to happen,” Trump told Maria Bartiromo.
The former president has also used increasingly harsh language to attack his opponent, Vice President Harris.
At a rally in Wisconsin last week, Trump called Harris “mentally ill,” a comment that drew backlash from disability advocacy groups and some Republicans. The New York Times reportedPresident Trump called Harris “retarded” during a fundraiser in late September.
But for some voters, this rhetoric echoes much of what he has been advocating over the past decade, since he first appeared on the political scene.
Much of President Trump's recent remarks have centered on immigration, an issue he has returned to multiple times during the campaign, and Aurora's remarks represent the latest example.
A former White House official argued that Trump is trying to use fear to persuade voters because fear can be an effective motivator.
“You're scaring people into believing that this is all there is to it,” the official said.
Some Republicans believe President Trump will continue to make statements that dance the line on immigration, no matter where it lies. They point out that public opinion favors Republicans on border and immigration issues, with polls showing more voters trust Republicans than Democrats on these issues.
“Trump sees immigration as an inherent strength and he's going to build on that,” said another Republican operative, noting that much of what Trump has said in the past has gone too far. “And he's not even close to that yet. This is a winning challenge for him.”
The operative said the most notable time he got off his skis was when he and Sen. J.D. He insisted that it was time to spread the word.
“It took on a life of its own, but this is nothing close to that,” the operative continued, citing President Trump's calls for the death penalty for illegal immigrants who kill police or Americans and polls showing support for mass deportations. He pointed out that it is increasing. .
“He lives here in a safe zone,” they added.
